Walker Phil RV-6A N525PW

Summary

On 4 April 2013 at about 22:40 local time, a Walker Phil RV-6A registered N525PW was involved in an accident near Spearfish, South Dakota, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 April 2013 at 22:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Spearfish, South Dakota, United States

Coordinates

44.4807, -103.8398

Aircraft

Walker Phil RV-6A

Registration

N525PW

Category

Airplane

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Spearfish → Spearfish

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN13LA220

2 people had minor injuries.

The coil-distributor wire loosening in flight, which rendered the ignition system inoperative and subsequently caused the loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While climbing through 6,000 feet, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot stated that, although he subsequently switched on the auxiliary fuel pump and ignition system, the engine did not restart; therefore, he executed a forced landing to a nearby pasture. The nose landing gear collapsed during the landing, and the airplane came to rest inverted. Examination of the automotive engine, which had been adapted for aviation use, found that the coil-distributor wire had loosened and was not connected to the coil. It is likely that the wire came loose during flight, which rendered the automotive ignition system inoperative and caused the engine to lose power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.